Hypoglycaemia Symptoms
Low blood sugar, also known as hypoglycaemia, can be a dangerous condition. Low blood sugar can happen in people with diabetes who take medications that increase insulin levels in the body. Taking too much medication, skipping meals, eating less than normal, or exercising more than usual can lead to low blood sugar for these individuals.
Blood sugar is also known as glucose. Glucose comes from food and serves as an important energy source for the body. Carbohydrates — foods such as rice, potatoes, bread, tortillas, cereal, fruit, vegetables, and milk — are the body’s main source of glucose. After you eat, glucose is absorbed into your bloodstream, where it travels to your body’s cells. A hormone called insulin, which is made in the pancreas, helps your cells use glucose for energy.
If you eat more glucose than you need, your body will store it in your liver and muscles or change it into fat so it can be used for energy when it’s needed later. Without enough glucose, your body cannot perform its normal functions. In the short term, people who aren’t on medications that increase insulin have enough glucose to maintain blood sugar levels, and the liver can make glucose if needed.
However, for those on these specific medications, a short-term reduction in blood sugar can cause a lot of problems. Immediate treatment for low blood sugar levels is important to prevent more serious symptoms from developing.
What are the symptoms of hypoglycaemia?
Symptoms of low blood sugar can occur suddenly. They include:
pale skin
blurry vision
dizziness
rapid heartbeat
sudden mood changes
sudden nervousness
unexplained fatigue
headache
hunger
shaking
sweating
difficulty sleeping
skin tingling
trouble thinking clearly or concentrating
loss of consciousness, seizure, coma
People with hypoglycaemic unawareness do not know their blood sugar is dropping. If you have this condition, your blood sugar can drop without you noticing it. Without immediate treatment, you can faint, experience a seizure, or even go into a coma.
What to do if you have symptoms
Very low blood sugar is a medical emergency. If someone you know has diabetes and they’re experiencing mild to moderate symptoms, have them eat or drink some easily digestible carbohydrates, such as:
half a cup of juice
1 tablespoon of honey
3 or 4 pieces of hard candy or glucose tablets
1 tablespoon of sugar
Consider investigating branded glucogels, glucojuice or glucotabs as various ways to offset a hypo.
What causes hypoglycaemia?
Low blood sugar can occur for a number of reasons. It’s usually a side effect of diabetes treatment.
Possible causes with diabetes
Diabetes affects your body’s ability to use insulin. Think of insulin as the key that unlocks your cells, letting glucose in for energy. People with diabetes use a variety of treatments to help their bodies use the glucose in their blood. Among these are oral medications that increase insulin production and insulin injections.
If you take too much of these types of medications, your blood sugar may drop too low. People also sometimes experience low blood sugar when planning to eat a big meal, but then they do not eat enough. Skipping meals, eating less than normal, or eating later than normal but taking your medication at your normal time can also lead to low blood sugar levels.
Unplanned excess physical activity without eating enough can also cause a drop in blood sugar levels. Drinking alcohol when you’re on these medications can also lead to low blood sugar, especially if it replaces food. When the body is trying to get rid of alcohol it becomes worse at managing blood sugar levels.
Possible causes without diabetes
You don’t have to have diabetes to experience low blood sugar. Some other causes of low blood sugar include:
certain medications, such as quinine
some medical conditions, such as hepatitis or kidney disorders
a tumour that produces excess insulin
endocrine disorders, such as adrenal gland deficiency
How is hypoglycemia diagnosed?
If you suspect you have low blood sugar, it’s important to check your blood sugar right away. If you don’t have a blood testing kit and you’re on diabetes medications that increase insulin, talk with your doctor about getting a blood testing kit options.
If you experience low blood sugar often — say, a few times a week — see your doctor right away to determine why. Your doctor will begin your visit by requesting your medical history, asking questions about your eating habits, and learning more about the symptoms you’re experiencing. If your blood sugar remains unresponsive, contact your doctor or emergency services right away. When in doubt, treat. Symptoms of low blood sugar usually get worse if they’re left untreated. Make an appointment to see your doctor if you have diabetes and experience low blood sugar levels often, or if you have symptoms, even if you don’t have diabetes.
How is hypoglycaemia treated?
When your blood sugar levels are too low, eating something made of carbohydrates is key. If you have diabetes, try to keep high-carbohydrate snacks on hand.
Some good snacks to keep on hand include:
glucose tablets
jelly babies
orange juice
honey or table sugar
jelly beans or gum drops
Wait 15 minutes after eating or taking a glucose tablet, and test your blood sugar again. If your blood sugar is not going up, eat another quantity of your go-to snack or take another dose of glucose tablets. Repeat this until your blood sugar level starts to rise. If your regularly scheduled meal is not for a while, eat a small snack after the low blood sugar episode. Be sure not to overeat! This could lead to blood sugar levels that are too high.
Complications from spells of hypoglycaemia
Mildly low blood sugar levels are somewhat common for people with diabetes; however, severely low blood sugar levels can be life threatening. They may lead to seizures and nervous system damage if left untreated long enough. Immediate treatment is critical. It’s important to learn to recognise your symptoms and treat them fast. For people at risk for low blood sugar, having access to something that will offset it is a sensible and proactive measure.
You may also want to talk with friends, family members, exercise partners, and co-workers about how to care for you if your blood sugar drops too low. It’s important for them to learn to recognise low blood sugar symptoms and know how to implement reactionary measures, as well as understand the importance of calling 911 if you lose consciousness.
Wearing a medical identification bracelet is a good idea. It can help emergency responders care for you properly if you need emergency attention. Treat low blood sugar as soon as possible. Avoid driving if you are experiencing low blood sugar, as it can increase your risk for having an accident.
How can episodes of hypoglycemia be prevented?
There are several ways that you can prevent low blood sugar.
Check often
Regularly checking your blood sugar level can help you keep it in your target range. If you’ve had low blood sugar episodes in the past, you may want to check your blood sugar levels before driving or operating machinery. Talk with your doctor about when and how often you should check your blood sugar.
Fuel during exercise
Exercise uses up energy, so it can quickly cause your blood sugar to drop if you haven’t eaten correctly beforehand. First, check your blood sugar 1 to 2 hours before exercising to make sure it’s within your target range before engaging in exercise.
If it’s too low, eat a small meal or carbohydrate-rich snack. If you plan to exercise for an hour or more, consume additional carbohydrates during your workout. A simple mini bag of jelly babies or ‘Haribo’ sweets can make all the difference., and can provide the body with a quick burst of glucose during exercise.
Work with your healthcare team to come up with the right program for you. Moderate to intense exercise can cause blood glucose to drop for up to 24 hours after exercise. It’s important to check your blood glucose immediately after exercise and every 2 to 4 hours afterward up until you go to sleep. Avoid intense exercise immediately before bed.
Listen to your doctor
If you follow a meal plan or take medications that increase insulin to manage low blood sugar, it’s important to stick to the plan your doctor prescribed to help prevent drops in your blood sugar level. Not eating the right foods or taking the right medications at the right times can cause your blood sugar to drop. Check in often with your doctor so they can adjust your treatment plan if and when necessary.
Extracts taken from Rachel Nall from https://www.healthline.com